Job is far from done, says Bruce
STEVE Bruce insists Newcastle United will finish the job of Premier League survival as long as their best players stay fit.
However, he refused to confirm it was job done despite Fulham now trailing by six points at the bottom of the table – and having played a game more.
Newcastle have effectively dragged Burnley back into the dogfight after their 2-1 win at Turf Moor.
Bruce said: “This win is big but there is still a bit to go.
“Certainly it is a helping hand. It is an important game so to win it was very good.
“It has been difficult with our injuries and can see what Allan Saint-maximin brings to the team.
“We have missed that bit of quality and excitement.
“To be missing your top players constantly, it affects teams.”
The United head coach added: “We did not play well enough in the first half. Second half we were a different animal.
“We can improve of course but it is there for everyone to see.”
When asked about United’s penalty call, in which midfielder Sean Longstaff took a boot to the head from Burnley defender James Tarkowski, Bruce said:
“For me it was a penalty because it was dangerous play.
“We saw the boy Cooper sent off for Leeds for dangerous play on Saturday. Wasn’t that dangerous?
“We cannot get carried away but four points from two games in the Premier League is huge.
“It sets us up nicely, we have some tough challenges coming up but this helps.
“Let’s hope our players stay fit. As good as I think I am, I need our best players fit.”